BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10964, 28 July 1921, Page 7

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED. CONSOLIDATION OF FARMING INTERESTS. The Board of Agriculture had, a short meeting after the Council of Agriculture Conference, when several matters of interest to the fanning community were dealt with. The importance of furthering the movement in connection with the initiation of boys’ agricultural clubs, as carried on in Taranaki by the Farmers’ Union, was emphasised, and the scheme has the board’s hearty support. It is proposed 'to, circularise A. and P. Associations urging the formation of the clubs in different parts of the Dominion where such do not at present exist. Careful consideration was given to the proposal to import into the Dominion species of partridges from South America and Western Asia, but pending inquiry being made as to the habits of the birds, the board refrained from expressing an opinion in the matter. In furtherance of the proposal emanating from the Council of Agricul- ' ture regarding the consolidation of farming interests, steps are being taken by the board to obtain from U.B.A. and elsewhere, the fullest information procurable as to the formation of agricultural bureaux for the information of the committee set up by the council to go into the question of organising an executive of farmers in New Zealand. Several letters were received dealing with the question of cattle tick, and suggesting that regulations be framed to prevent the spread of the disease from the North to the South Islands. The subject was fully dismissed with the Director-General of Agriculture, and the conclusion was reached that tho regulations already in force gave power to deal with the several points raised in the communications. A suggestion was placed before the board to have the Fencing Act amended to permit of the use of a lighter wire than is specified in the oonstruotion of a “sufficient'’ fence. This received full consideration, hut the board is of opinion that further lengthy tests of tho fighter wire are required to establish the claims made for it before any alteration is made in the Act.